PA Budget Fight Raising State Borrowing Costs

The six month budget impasse is already costing residents of Pennsylvania because investors are demanding higher rates of return on PA debt that reflects the higher risk of those investments. The higher interest rate PA must pay for borrowing dollars means the state is spending more dollars without getting any more services in return.

Total spending on education and state spending per student has been steadily increasingsource - openpagov.org

A major point of contention in the budget negotiations has been Governor Wolf's demand for greater spending on education, but the charts above show both total spending on education and state spending per student has been steadily increasing even while enrollment is declining. The governor is demanding still more spending for education and the no tax increase $30.3 billion budget he currently has on his desk provides an increase, though not as much as he wants and his press secretary has labeled those legislators unwilling to spend the additional dollars as "extremists." The budget he wants requires a tax increase to cover the higher spending, yet no tax plan was agreed upon.

Unfunded pension debt affects you

The real problem these budget proposals do not deal with is the rapidly rising unfunded pension debt. Those costs will mean steadily rising taxes, steadily rising state borrowing costs, fewer state services, declining state infrastructure, a less friendly business environment and a state in rapid decline. Very few people understand or even know what is going on, legislators included, the explanation is complex, the solutions politically hard to swallow and it's so easy for lawmakers to point fingers and blame the other guy.

Gradually, then suddenly

This budget is reminiscent of a well known conversation in a Hemingway novel:

How did you go bankrupt? ... Two ways, gradually, then suddenly.

Pennsylvania is headed the same direction, we're still on the "gradually" part. Let's hope we fix this before "suddenly" hits.

Let’s work together to keep an eye on things

Transparency is expected in all government meetings and daily operations.

Everyone working for the government works for, and is answerable to, you and me.

All laws, regulations, ordinances, budgets, audits and other public records should be freely available, preferably online, for citizens to examine without special fees and paperwork before they can do so.

When municipalities seek bids for contract work, all bid documents should be available online, free of charge. Printed copies, if requested, should be offered at cost.

Agendas should be posted online a minimum of 3 days before public meetings take place allowing interested citizens an opportunity to hear discussions and offer input on matters important to them.

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